Auckland Meccano Guild

The summer meeting was hosted by Peter and Jan Hancock at thier home in Howick. The number of members in attendance was significantly lower than usual with a number of apologies being recieved from members away on overseas travel while others had sports and business commitments to attend to.
Several interesting models were on display amongst which was a "Fantasy All-Terrain vehicle". This model built by David Wall utilised the wheels and front bumper salvaged from his recently disassembled Meccano truck/ tractor unit set (#8701). Power for this model was provided by a Stoky's ( Swiss ) clockwork motor ( of superior quality to the Meccano product ) Although the three axles are independently sprung, there is no provision for steering, which means that the operators have to lift the vehicle around corners - a very minor shortcoming - unless you are one of the operators!.

Mike stuart displayed his "heavy duty spur gear differential and universal" The universal was made from two 1" elektrikit bush wheels joined with four floating collars and 3/8" bolts. The design allows the universals input and output shafts to be up to 2 to 3 mm out of alignment when operating.

Gerald Hart had built a beam engine modelled on one of james Watt's early creations with the sole purpose of demonstrating and confirming for himself that a sun and planet gear combination would work as well as a conventional crank assembly. The model demonstrated this very clearly.

Henry Porter displayed and explained the workings challenges and detail required during building of one of his recent larger models ( does Henry ever make really small ones? )
The model concerned was the "Tandem Compound Corliss Mill Engine" a photo of which graced the lower half of the cover of the 2011 NZFMM Magazine. The magazine carried a detailed report describing his motivation to build it and how he went about it. It is a truly awesome model.

Les Megget displayed his latest smaller ( for him ) model of a quite sophisticated fork lift made from his recently purchased set of Eitech from Germany. This was an attractive looking model and it is certain that this new offering in metal construction toys will be of interest to modellers at the Easter convention where it is likely to be on show.

Members spent time reviewing various litetrature and photos brought to the meeting before progressing to detailed discussions relating to the quality and effective operation of original factory brass gears and those now available from a number of sources as replicas. it is agreed that it is a distinct advantage to the modeller that there are so many additional offerings being produced to provide the extended range of combinations of ratio's and spacing's both here and overseas. However concern was expressed as to the wide level of variation and general consistency of quality, staightness and finish of some of these gears currently being offered for sale. It can be a great disappointment to a modeller who having waited for a considerable period of time for a gear(s) to arrive to complete a model then finds the item wobbling and binding. AMG members noted with pleasure that there is a local supply of high quality gears with a range of variables now available at competetive prices.

The Guild had recieved copies of several flyers available from "Square Affair" in Palmerston North relating to the various events that will make up this special 2011 Easter event. The meeting then reviewed who was attending the Convention and who was displaying models. It is unfortunate that on this occasion we will have several of our members reluctantly missing from our normal line up due to various personal circumstances.

After confirming various practical issues relating to travel to and from the event for those attending and the practicality of who will set up and be responsible for models provided for the display by members that will not be able to attend in person the meeting adjourned to enjoy a sumptuous afternoon tea with the ladies